Entertainment

Photo gallery: The year in entertainment 2015

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe award for courage at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater, in Los Angeles. In April, the then Bruce Jenner came out as a trans woman. Chris PizzelloChris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Brian Williams, who reported so believably on wars for NBC News, got caught fudging his own war stories as a guest on "Late Show" and elsewhere. He was suspended for six months and replaced at the "Nightly" anchor desk by Lester Holt. Brad BarketInvision/Associated Press

After 33 years in late night television, 6,028 broadcasts, nearly 20,000 total guest appearances, 16 Emmy Awards and more than 4,600 career Top Ten Lists, David Letterman retired in May 2015 after a final taping of "Late Show with David Letterman." Jeffrey R. StaabCBS via AP

In September 2015, Stephen Colbert stepped in as the new host of "The Late Show" on CBS, replacing David Letterman. Jeffrey R. StaabCBS via Associated Press

Jon Stewart, added to his collection of Emmys as writer and host of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." He stepped away from the program in August 2015. Jordan StraussInvision/Associated Press

Trevor Noah is the host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central. Evan AgostiniInvision/Associated Press

“Empire” proved viewers of all colors can be colorblind in their series choices, making this melodrama with its primarily African-America cast a rip-roaring smash hit, and launching Taraji P. Henson's fearless, outrageous Cookie as the year's breakout TV character. Chuck HadesFox via AP

May marked the end of "Mad Men" starring Jon Hamm, a drama that made its network, AMC, golden while helping certify television as the artistic equal of film. Justina MintzAMC via Associated Press

Matt Damon merged smart and funny in the film "The Martian." Aidan Monaghan20th Century Fox via AP

The “Hunger Games” series concluded in 2015 with “Mockingjay - Part 2.” Liam Hemsworth, left, as Gale Hawthorne, Sam Clafin, back left, as Finnick Odair, Evan Ross, back right, as Messalia, and Jennifer Lawrence, right, as Katniss Everdeen participated in the final fight against the Capitol. Murray CloseAP

‘Minions’ wasn’t merely among the top-grossing movies of 2015. It also sparked a major merchandising wave, such as this Rock 'N Roll Stuart interactive plush toy. Mark LennihanAP

Fifty-five years after publishing the now-indispensable novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee returned with "Go Set A Watchman," a “Mockingbird” sequel, of sorts. AP

Coloring books for grown-ups was a very hot trend in 2015. Leanne ItalieAssociated Press

After staying out of the public eye for three-plus years, Adele returned in 2015 with the album “25” and promptly set new sales records. She’s now planning a tour for 2016. Heidi GutmanNBC via Associated Press

Boy band One Direction accounted for half of the 10 most recirculated tweets in 2015, including the three most popular. In 2015, the group became a quartet – Niall Horan, left, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne - when Zayn Malik announced his departure in March. In November, the band announced they were going to take a break for 18 months. Rich FuryRich Fury/Invision/AP

Taylor Swift spent more than half of 2015 on the road – including this stop in Raleigh, NC – promoting her album “1989.” Scott Sharpessharpe@newsobserver.com

With paid subscriptions to music streaming services such Tidal, Spotify, Pandora and others, you can listen to as many songs as you want on a variety of personal computers, phones, tablets and other devices. John LocherAP